Minutes from the city; miles from anywhere!

If you're looking for a peaceful waterside retreat for a few days from the hustle and bustle, you’ve found it!

This location is Auckland’s best-kept secret - the tranquil beachside area of Clarks Beach/ Waiau Pa, only one hour south of Auckland’s CBD, with the Waiuku River estuary lapping at your door. The serenity is amazing - you'll not want to leave!

• You want to get away from Auckland for the weekend but not drive for hours in crazy traffic?.
• Or you need a ‘chill-out’ spot – a ‘do-nothing’ weekend (or week) all by yourself or with your loved one
• Maybe you’re like me, a writer, and you hanker for calm and serenity.

Amazing sunsets, wader birds (even rare Royal Spoonbills occasionally), fishing boats heading down the Waiuku River channel, and hardly any people!

The apartment is all set up for you to be either creative or just to blob out and read, snooze, play – or enjoy the delights of the region.

You've got exclusive use of a large suite. It comprises a bedroom with ensuite, a living room (which can double as a bed, and a well-stocked kitchen.

If you need laundry facilities, check with me. If no-one’s in the adjoining unit you’ll be able to use the laundry free of charge. A dryer can be accessed for $5 per load if I’m home, and there is also a clothes horse & pegs in your walk-in wardrobe.

Your cooking facilities include a microwave, a bench-top oven, a frypan, pots and a small fridge. You've got an excellent range of crockery, cutlery and glassware. And outside is a small BBQ, shared between the two units. It's easy to carry out to the deck if you want to eat out there on a fine evening.

Unlike many short-stays of this type, you'll also find the basic makings for a continental breakfast for at least the first day - a range of cereals, spreads, butter, milk, condiments, teas, coffees and frozen bread (in the small ice-box in the fridge.)

You've got a table in the sitting room for dining or working on your computer, and outside seating on the deck.

There's on-site parking and your own separate access at the back of the main house.

If you're a bigger group, also book my other apartment and I can open the connecting door. That gives you beds for up to six people - 2 couples in the beds and one adult per fold-out sofa bed.

If you want activity, explore Clevedon’s country market, the hikes in the Hunua Ranges, play golf at the popular Clarks Beach course a few minutes away, discover the Awhitu Peninsula & the lighthouse, the black-sand western ocean beach at Kariotahi, get out on the Manukau Harbour & the Waiuku River if you’ve got your own boat …. the choices are many.

Bring your fishing boat and lines. Launch your boat from the ramp beside our driveway or a 24-hour ramp is 2 minutes’ drive away.

Apart from the two accommodation units, the rest of the house is my private home. I'm a writer, travel a lot, and you'll find me a very quiet neighbour. If I'm home. I'm really happy to help with any queries, but I don't interfere with your privacy.

Special conditions:
A portable cot and linen, high chair, potty and toys are available if you're travelling with a little one. Just let me know in advance. You'll have to watch a child at high tide - there is no fence by the sea wall.

You'll find books and DVDs for use while you're here. I just respectfully request that you leave them when you depart.

Quiet time from 10pm, and no parties or events. No smoking inside or in such a way that the smell enters the house. There is a shell ashtray on the deck.